Pat-a-Cake

Version 1

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man.
Bake me a cake just as fast as you can.
Pat it and roll it and mark it with a “B.”
And put it in the oven for Baby and me.

(Mother Goose Club Version)

Version 2

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Pat it and prick it, and mark it with a B,
Put it in the oven for baby and me.

Source: D'Ufrey, The Campaigners (1698)

Version 3

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man!
Make me a cake as fast as you can:
Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T,
And there will be enough for Baby and me.

Source: Smith, The Little Mother Goose (1912)

Version 4

Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man;
That I will master, as fast as I can;
Prick it and prick it, and mark it with a T,
And there will be enough for Jackey and me.

Source: Newbery, The Original Mother Goose Melody (1760)

Historical Background

The earliest known publication of “Pat a Cake” dates back to the late seventeenth century. Today, the rhyme is accompanied with elaborate clapping patterns, teaching children hand-eye coordination and rhythm. The rhyme was first published in Thomas D’Ufrey’s “The Campaigners” in 1698, which is quite different from the popular version circulated today. The lyrics are as follows: “Ah Doddy blessed at pitty face of myn Sylds, and his pitty, pitty hands, and his pitty, pitty foots, and all his pitty things, and pat a cake, pat a cake Bakers man, so I will master as I can, and prick it, and prick it, and prick it, and prick it, and prick it, and throw’t into the Oven.”